110

Mogadore.

The Wool of this country is deficient in lustre, kempy,* and of a brownish colour, but by judicious crossing with English blood it could be brought to resemble our breeds, and find a large and remunerative market.

Canada.

The bulk of this Wool appears to be a neglected Leicester, but is capable of improvement. There is a tendency in some parts to cross the native sheep with United States Merinos, but for the English market we recommend new Leicester rams, so as to impart length, lustre, and soundness to the staple. One great fault is the prevalence of burrs, which often depreciate the value five and sometimes ten per cent. This year’s imports have been irregularly packed, consequently a manufacturer has been obliged to purchase much Wool that he did not require along with that which he did want. If regular classification of the fleeces is unattainable at present, let the growers, at least, pack up the cotted and cast fleeces separately from the others.

California.

We have great hopes of this place being able to supply Europe with very large quantities of both long and short Wool of medium and fine quality. At present the growth is exported almost exclusively to New York and Boston, where it enters duty free. We think, however, that Californian Wool will, ere long, find its way to England. The value of the unwashed fleeces varies from 6d. to 17d. per lb. The sheep farmers profess to be able to raise any breed, from Leicester up to pure merino. At present there is every variety of cross, with an infusion of United States merino.

Peru.

This Wool is long stapled tender Wool, unfit for combing, but might be improved, and the kemp and scurf eradicated. The kemp is very prevalent. The Lima Wool is better bred, and nearly approaches a combing Wool of middling quality to fine quality. Large quantities of long coarse carpet Wool are shipped from Valparaiso to the United States. The Chilian Wool is capable of considerable improvement.

Argentine Republic. Buenos Ayres, Cordova, Entre Rios, Santiago.

Buenos Ayres Wools are chiefly short wooled—shipped in the grease. Entre Rios and Santiago coarse Wools. Cordova is a carpet Wool, and from its length capable of great improvement.

Republic of the Uruguay or Band Oriental.

Chief town, Monte Video.

The wool from this quarter chiefly consists of fine short stapled.

New Zealand.

Large supplies of this Wool have already come to England, and we believe the country is peculiarly adapted to produce the long Combing Wools required, from its soil and climate, and an unlimited market is open here for such Wools.

Australia.

The Wools from this Colony form a large article of export. They are generally of a finer character than those of the other countries referred to, and for certain purposes are exceedingly valuable.

The Bradford Chamber of Commerce,
Bradford, May 13, 1861.

SIR,—The very inadequate supply of wool required for the trade of this district, has led to the formation of an Association, in connection with the Chamber, for the purpose of disseminating suggestions, for circulation in wool growing countries, not only as to the increase in the supply of the raw material, but as to its improvement in quality.

I have been, for some time, in communication with Her Majesty’s Government on this subject, and have received from the Board of Trade most kind and valuable offers of assistance.

Samples of wool required in this district, together with suggestions as to its growth and improvement, will be sent out by the Board of Trade, the India Board, and by the Colonial Office, to the various Consuls, and Vice-Consuls, representing Her Majesty, in Foreign Countries.

I have also obtained permission from the Board of Trade, to address you, and to beg that you will have the kindness to give your assistance in promoting the objects of the Wool Supply Association, and this will, I believe, be best done by placing the samples in the hands of parties interested in the growth of wool, and by extensively disseminating the remarks, where English is spoken, and by carefully translating the document into the language of the country where you may deem it proper to promulgate the views of the Association, in accordance with the instructions, which you will no doubt, ere this, have received from the Government.

I have, &c.,
HENRY W. RIPLEY,
President.

John Darlington, Secretary.

His Excellency Governor T. Gore Browne,
New Zealand.